> > >> likely to vary by location and which officer you get stopped by... > I have great respect for the NZ Police force. They work for me and I appreciate the work they do. Almost always. Unfortunately, as I get older a small but increasing number of them seem to be getting quite unreasonable. On occasions, it can take quite a lot of effort to set them right. Easter Friday 2014. Far from home. ~=3D 11pm Man nobody should have to meet.* .... 'What traffic offence notices ... have you received?" [[It's on your computer, What has that got to do with anything]] 'From how long ago?' " All of them" 'Well ... in 1970 I got a ticket for allegedly not having a WOF, but I got off that' 'In about 1972 I got a ticket for parking on a motorway on ramp. I went to court and got off that.' 'In ... I ... got off that." 'In ... I ... got off that." 'In ... About here he seemed to lose interest. Hands me a "ticket" for driving an unregistered motor vehicle. "Well. You won't get off this one". I did. Vehicle was registered. He said "his people" (on radio) had said it wasn't. He lied. Why I know not Yet. * Which of the 2 that relates to may depend on perspective :-). __________________ > Unfortunately some officers don't know as much about the law as > > they (would like you to) think they do. I used to tow a bicycle trailer > > and carried a copy of the relevant law with me, the law that says I > > can tow as big a trailer as a car can (legs permitting). Yet I'd still > > have to debate it, and always most politely, at road checks. Son has motorcycle which needed to be reregistered after registration expired after several years off road. Need to take to certification station some miles away. COULD ride it BUT unregistered. Read rules. Decide to tow it with car. Print copy of rules that say this is what I SHOULD do. (Stupid rules) Highlight relevant portion. Place copy in pocket. Last year. Son drives car and tows me on bike. (I have done many miles long long ago towing bikes - usually bike-bike which is 'tricky' [tm]. Car towing bike is easy, usually. I arrange a quick release for rope from bike handlebars. Needed twice on trip for various reasons. Almost there. Come to roundabout. Son starts into roundabout. Headbanger in van charges in when it is clearly stupid to do so. I sound the agreed "STOP" signal. Son stops. Looks at charging van and drives on. I can visualise van going through rope any second. I release quick release. It jams! Son drives. Van charges. Death looms. I apply all brakes hard. Rope stretches stretches ... strettttcheees ... Ping. Rope self clears intersection. Van passes through. I push bike over to footpath past intersection. All is well Small car behind us pulls onto footpath Two plain clothes detectives get out. "You were almost in trouble then" 'No. not a problem. I'd planned for it'. Starts to query car towing bike issue and unregistered bike. I get out marked up rules and hand them to him. He reads them. They 'have a nice day' me and leave. > Jumping a red light when you're the only vehicle on the road is > > logic vs legislation. Both right in their own way > Long ago. Friend: "Why were you going round and round in circles on your motorcycle at the Victoria Avenue lights at 1am on Sunday morning?" I explain. _______________________________ Road rules say you must perform a wheel-stop at STOP signs - and also must look both ways and determine that way is clear. Auld lang syne. Yamaha TY250A trials bike (old even then). Wheel stop? No problem. Foot down? No need. Balance stopped, brake on, look right and left, all clear, drive on. And, no, I did not make a point of doing that when the guardians of the law were present. Even though it met the letter and usually the spirit of the law. FWIW - a TY250 can pull 4 wheelstands - each successively lower and shorter, as you accelerate through the gears from 0 to 50 kph. You about clear a large intersection in 5th at 50kph as the front wheel touches down in 5th gear. 2:1 1st to 2nd. 1.5:1 2nd to 3rd. What fun we had :-). (Looping in 1st and 2nd is easy if careless) R --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .